Latest news with #600
Sinar Daily
2 hours ago
- Business
- Sinar Daily
Delay use of commercial LPG, burdens small traders
Rosol also stressed that any subsidy restructuring must be carried out cautiously, with clear communication and appropriate support incentives. The government is urged to postpone the mandatory use of 14-kilogramme commercial LPG cylinders for small traders. Inset: Rosol – Stock photo KUALA LUMPUR – The government has been urged to postpone the mandatory implementation of the use of 14-kilogramme commercial liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders for small traders, which took effect on May 1. Hulu Terengganu Member of Parliament Datuk Rosol Wahid said the move not only caused operational costs to surge by up to threefold but also put pressure on small traders already struggling to stay afloat. 'Many food business owners have complained to me that they previously spent around RM2,600 a month on gas, but now they are forced to bear costs reaching RM7,000 after being directed to use commercial LPG,' he said in a statement on Thursday. The former Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDN) deputy minister said the situation worsened as many traders became targets of Op Gasak over the past three weeks, with some fined and their gas cylinders confiscated by the authorities. 'I sympathise with the plight of small traders who are not only burdened by the high cost of living but are now facing pressure from a hastily implemented policy by the Madani government,' he said. Rosol also stressed that any subsidy restructuring must be carried out cautiously, with clear communication and appropriate support incentives. 'The chain reaction from this cost increase will ultimately be borne by consumers. Don't be unjust to the people,' he added. Therefore, he urged the government to postpone the implementation until a targeted aid plan and suitable support measures are introduced for small traders. 'At the very least, the government must have a dedicated plan to ease the cost burden so that end users do not have to bear the sudden impact,' he said.
Daily Tribune
8 hours ago
- Daily Tribune
A Fur-Real experience
This dog landed at Bahrain International Airport with an Arab family, arriving from a destination just three hours away. The pet had all travel documents in place — permits, health checks, and approvals — and passed through airport checks without issue. But the moment the plane touched down; things took an unexpected turn. The airline decided not to release the dog. No reason was given. No one informed the family. Instead, the dog was quietly put on the next outbound flight. These details came to light when the Minor Commercial Court ordered the state-owned airline to pay BD1,275 in damages. According to court files, the airline had accepted the pet for travel, but refused to hand it over on arrival. With no explanation, the crew member blocked the release and the animal was flown back the next day. The devastated family, unable to act, had to arrange care for the dog overseas. It took nearly a month to get a new permit and bring the animal back to Bahrain. The whole ordeal cost them over Euro2,500. The case was brought before the court by the dog's owner, represented by lawyer Rabab Mahdi. She told the court the family had planned the trip well in advance — including the pet's journey — and had followed all required procedures. The airline, she said, failed to provide any justification for its decision. The children were left distressed and the family was forced to hire a pet care company abroad until the dog could be returned. Later, the airline admitted fault in an email. It offered to refund the pet's ticket and provide a discount on future flights. But that didn't come close to covering the losses — prompting legal action. A witness told the court she had contacted the airline's call centre before travel and was advised to complete the booking at the airport. Bahrain Airport confirmed there was no issue with the pet's entry. The court said the airline had accepted the dog for transport to Bahrain, then refused to release it without explanation. It did not dispute the facts or prove any fault on the claimant's part. The airline also failed to show it had taken any steps to prevent the harm or that doing so was impossible. The owner submitted payment records showing Euro2,600 spent on care, transport, and new bookings. The court ordered the airline to pay BD1,275.980 in compensation.
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
42gm MD seized, drugs trafficked from Mumbai to Bhandara
Nagpur: In a crackdown on an inter-city drug racket, the crime branch's Anti-Narcotics Squad seized 42 grams mephedrone (MD) and assets worth Rs3.06 lakh in Nagpur on Friday. This operation revealed a supply chain funnelling drugs from Mumbai to Bhandara. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now One person was arrested, and a wider network is under investigation. Acting on reliable intelligence, officers laid a trap between 12.15pm and 3pm at Rahul Complex near Bus Stand Road, Ganeshpeth. The team intercepted a suspect on a moped and detained him in the presence of witnesses. The man identified himself as Arpan Manish Goswami, 28, a resident of Raju Nagar, Bela, Bhandara. Upon searching a parcel in his possession, officials found 42 grams MD powder. Along with the drugs, they also seized a weighing scale and the moped used in the transportation — together valued at Rs3,00,600. During interrogation, Goswami confessed that the contraband was transported from Mumbai for street-level distribution in Bhandara. He named three accomplices — Khyber Jafri, Shadab Pathan, and Sadjama — all from Phule Colony, National Highway Road, Bhandara. Authorities booked Goswami under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. He was handed over to Ganeshpeth police for further investigation. A manhunt is underway for the remaining suspects. The operation was executed under the guidance of top city police officials, including police commissioner Ravinder Singal and joint commissioner ND Reddy, as part of Operation Thunder. This seizure underscores the reach of synthetic drug networks beyond metros and into Tier-II cities, highlighting the urgent need for sustained, coordinated enforcement.
Business Recorder
a day ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Gold price per tola falls Rs700 in Pakistan
Gold prices in Pakistan decreased on Friday in line with their decline in the international market. In the local market, gold price per tola reached Rs348,600 after it lost Rs700 during the day. Similarly, 10-gram gold was sold at Rs298,868 after it shed Rs599, according to the rates shared by the All-Pakistan Gems and Jewellers Sarafa Association (APGJSA). On Thursday, gold prices remained stable in Pakistan in line with no change in the international market. The international rate of gold also declined on Friday. The rate was at $3,302 per ounce (with a premium of $20), a decrease of $7, as per APGJSA. Meanwhile, silver price per tola remained stable at Rs3,380.
Daily Maverick
a day ago
- Health
- Daily Maverick
Understanding shingles: Risks, vaccination gaps, and the quest for better health solutions
The only shingles vaccine on the market in South Africa was discontinued in 2024. A newer and better vaccine is being used in some other countries, but has not yet been registered in South Africa, though it can be obtained by those with money who are willing to jump through some hoops. Shingles is a common and painful condition that mostly affects the elderly and people with weakened immune systems. It generally appears with a telltale red rash and cluster of red blisters on one side of the body, often in a band-like pattern. 'Shingles is pretty awful to get – it's extremely painful, and some people can get strokes, vision loss, deafness and other horrible manifestations as complications,' said infectious disease specialist, Professor Jeremy Nel. 'Shingles really is something to avoid, if at all possible.' One way to prevent the viral infection is to get vaccinated. But while two vaccines against shingles have been developed and broadly used in the developed world, neither is available in South Africa. Two vaccines Zostavax, from the pharmaceutical company MSD, was the first vaccine introduced to prevent shingles. It was approved for use in the US in 2006 and in South Africa in 2011. It is 51% effective against shingles in adults over 60. A more effective vaccine, Shingrix, which is more than 90% effective in preventing shingles, was introduced by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) in the US in 2016. It is not yet authorised for use in South Africa, but GSK has submitted paperwork for approval with the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (Sahpra), said company spokesperson Kamil Saytkulov. The superior protection offered by Shingrix compared with Zostavax quickly made it the dominant shingles vaccine on the market. As a result, MSD discontinued the production and marketing of Zostavax. MSD spokesperson Cheryl Reddy said Zostavax was discontinued globally in March 2024. Before then, the vaccine was sold in South Africa's private healthcare system for about R2,300, but it was never widely available in government clinics or hospitals. No registered and available vaccine Since Zostavax has been discontinued and Shingrix remains unregistered, the only way to access a vaccine against shingles in South Africa is by going through the onerous process of applying to Sahpra for a Section 21 authorisation – a legal mechanism that allows the importation of unregistered medicines when there is an unmet medical need. 'Access will only be available to those who are able to get Section 21 approval' and 'this is a costly and time-consuming process, requiring motivation by a doctor,' said Dr Leon Geffen, director of the Samson Institute for Ageing Research. The cost of the two-dose Shingrix vaccine imported through Section 21 authorisations is currently about R15,600, said Dr Albie de Frey, CEO of the Travel Doctor Corporate. People who seek Section 21 authorisation typically have to pay for this out of their own pockets. 'Shingrix is not covered [by Discovery Health] as it is unregistered in South Africa and is therefore considered to be a General Scheme Exclusion,' Dr Noluthando Nematswerani, chief clinical officer at Discovery Health, told Spotlight. The Department of Health did not respond to queries about whether Section 21 processes are being pursued for priority patients in the public sector or whether there has been any engagement with GSK on the price of this product. People who receive organ transplants, for example, should be prioritised to receive the shingles vaccine since the medications they are given to suppress their immune system puts them at high risk of developing shingles. Why is the price of Shingrix so high? Unlike South Africa, where companies must sell pharmaceutical products at a single, transparent price in the private sector, the US has no such requirement. Even so, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) pays $250 (R4,600) for the two-dose Shingrix vaccine through CDC contracts. This is less than a third of the charge when Shingrix is imported to South Africa. Equity Pharmaceuticals, based in Centurion, Gauteng, is importing GSK's Shingrix for patients who receive Section 21 authorisations to use the unregistered vaccine. It is unclear what price Equity Pharmaceuticals is paying GSK for Shingrix to be imported under Section 21 approvals, or what its mark-up on the medicine is. Asked about the price of Shingrix in South Africa, Saytkulov told Spotlight: 'Equity Pharmaceuticals is not affiliated with GSK, nor is it a business partner or agent of GSK. Therefore we cannot provide any comments with regards to pricing of a non-licensed product, which has been authorised for importation through Section 21.' Equity Pharmaceuticals also said it was difficult to comment on the price. 'The price of a Section 21 product depends on a number of fair considerations, including the forex rate, the quantity, transportation requirements, and the country of importation. Once the price and lead time are defined for an order, the information is shared with the healthcare provider to discuss with their patient and the medical aid,' the company's spokesperson, Carel Bouwer, said. Nematswerani pointed out that 'Section 21 pricing is not regulated' and that the price can change due to many factors including supplier costs, product availability and inflation. What causes shingles? Shingles is caused by the same highly infectious virus that causes chickenpox. Most people are infected with the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) during childhood. Chickenpox occurs when a person is first infected by VZV. When a person recovers from chickenpox, the VZV virus remains dormant in their body but can reactivate later in life as the immune system weakens. This secondary infection that occurs, typically in old age when the dormant virus reactivates, is called shingles. People who were naturally infected with chickenpox, as well as those vaccinated against chickenpox with a vaccine containing a weakened form of the VZV virus, can get shingles later in life. But, people who were vaccinated against chickenpox have a significantly lower risk of developing shingles later in life compared with those who naturally contracted chickenpox, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The chickenpox vaccine is available in South Africa's private sector but is not provided in the public sector as part of the government's expanded programme on immunisation. Chickenpox is usually mild in most children, but those with weakened immune systems at risk of severe or complicated chickenpox should be vaccinated against it, said Professor James Nuttall, a paediatric infectious diseases sub-specialist at the Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital and the University of Cape Town. Who should be vaccinated against shingles? South Africa does not have guidelines for who should receive the shingles vaccine and when. The US CDC recommends that all adults older than 50 receive the two-dose Shingrix vaccine. It also recommends that people whose immune systems can't defend their body as effectively as they should, like those living with HIV, should get the vaccine starting from age 19. While Shingrix works better than Zostavax at preventing shingles, it has other advantages that make it a safer and better option for people with weak immune systems. The Zostavax vaccine contains a weakened live form of the VZV virus and thus poses a risk of complications in people with severely weakened immune systems. 'In the profoundly immunosuppressed, the immune system might not control the replication of this weakened virus,' explained Nel. The Shingrix vaccine does not contain any live virus and therefore does not present this risk. In March 2025, the WHO recommended that countries where shingles is an important public health problem consider the two-dose shingles vaccine for older adults and people with chronic conditions. '[T]he vaccine is highly effective and licensed for adults aged 50 and older, even if they've had shingles before,' according to the WHO. It advised countries to weigh up how much the vaccine costs with the benefits before deciding to use it. The cost of not vaccinating against shingles The cost of not vaccinating against shingles is high for people who develop the condition, as well as the health system. '[T]he risk of getting shingles in your lifetime is about 20 to 30%… by the age of 80 years, the prevalence is almost 50%,' said Geffen. 'Shingles is often a painful, debilitating condition, with significant morbidity. It can result in chronic debilitating pain which affects sleep, mood and overall function,' he added. Beyond preventing shingles and its complications, new evidence suggests that getting the vaccine may also reduce the risk of developing dementia and heart disease. In April, a large Welsh study published in Nature reported that people who received the Zostavax vaccine against shingles were 20% less likely to develop dementia seven years after receiving it compared with those who were not vaccinated. In May, a South Korean study published in the European Heart Journal reported that people vaccinated against shingles had a 23% lower risk of cardiovascular events, such as stroke or heart disease, for up to eight years after vaccination. DM
